Dr. Murray Feingold: Sniffing out a problem

Monday

Jun 30, 2008 at 12:01 AMJun 30, 2008 at 11:56 AM

Most people take their sense of smell or ability to distinguish odors for granted. However, studies have shown that 20 percent to 25 percent of people in all age groups have difficulty detecting odors, or have a distorted identification of odors.

Dr. Murray Feingold

Most people take their sense of smell or ability to distinguish odors for granted. However, studies have shown that 20 percent to 25 percent of people in all age groups have difficulty detecting odors, or have a distorted identification of odors.

The number of people affected increases with age. Frequently, older adults are unaware they have lost some of their ability to smell.

There are various terms used to describe the loss of odor sensitivity. Anosmia is the inability to detect any odor, while hyposmia is a decreased ability to smell. Dysomia is a distorted interpretation of odors.

There are many causes of loss of smell. Probably the most common one is loss of smell after an upper respiratory or sinus infection. This usually lasts for a short period of time, but if significant damage is done to the olfactory area, where smell takes place, it can last much longer.

Other causes include head trauma, drugs or toxins and brain tumors. Some people are simply born without the ability to smell odors (congenital).

Various tests are available to determine if a loss of smell is present and, if so, the type and severity.

The loss of smell can have some serious consequences. A person may not be able to detect if the food they are eating is spoiled, thus leading to gastrointestinal disorders.

They also cannot appreciate the odor of food and this can result in a decrease in a person's appetite, causing nutritional problems.

The ability to distinguish various odors also serves as a protective mechanism. This includes the ability to detect various hazards such at the presence of smoke or a gas leak. Loss of this function has very serious ramifications.

Also of great importance is that people with impairment of smell miss experiencing the wonderful fragrances that are present all around us every day.

It is difficult to adequately describe the odor of a rose, or appreciate the smell of the ocean, or the aromas emanating from you grandmother's kitchen.

So don't take your sense of smell for granted.

Dr. Murray Feingold is the Boston-area physician in chief of the National Birth Defects Center, medical editor of WBZ-TV and WBZ radio, and president of the Genesis Fund. The Genesis Fund is a nonprofit organization that funds the care of children born with birth defects, mental retardation and genetic diseases.